Teachers help to keep stimulated children's natural desire to learn

At the B.E.N., the children develop close relationships with their teachers, who carefully follow the growth of each individual and how they process, feel and assimilate learning of all kinds.  The teachers also encourage a close working relationship with the child’s family. The social and emotional growth that is encouraged in each child individually during these years is based in value and respect for oneself, for others and for the environment in which we live and learn.

Sensitive and responsive to individual needs and requirements

Children sparkle and shine when they have an understanding, a deep awareness or a knowing which can happen at an unpredictable time.  If a child is not listened to and not confirmed, these moments might start to fade and not happen as often and eventually not at all.  At the B.E.N. we listen when a child flares.  They feel and know that what they are expressing is important and will be heard and recognized.  

Story from a teacher:
One day, a 5 year old student was helping me to move a wooden stool from one room to another.  Suddenly, he paused and then his face lit up.  He ran over to me and said, 'Isn't it amazing that I can carry the stool - it is so light!  Yet the stool can hold me when I sit on it and it doesn't break? How can that be?'  

Teachers provide tools:  Red and Green cards

Teachers provide children with tools to show their readiness to learn.  For example, Red and Green cards allow children to let the teacher know, without necessarily verbalizing it, if something is bothering them.  How a child feels is important and if a child cannot proceed with a lesson for any reason, he/she can use a red or green card (depending on the reason) to stop the lesson and discuss what the problem is or to simply sit out for part of the lesson and rejoin when they feel ready.

Teachers provide tools:  How to think about being different

Story from a parent:
"My daughter told me recently that she was so happy we switched to the B.E.N. School-House. Her exact words were 'I love it there! I was worried that I was different than other kids and Julia (her teacher) is right - we are all so different and nobody is exactly the same.' That was music to my ears".